General News
23 April, 2026
Rail crisis being ignored, MP says
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has renewed calls for urgent changes to travel on the Warrnambool line after the Victorian Government extended its free travel initiative in a bid to address concerns surrounding fuel costs and supply.
Over the weekend the Victorian Government announced free public transport would be extended until the end of May, while half-price fares would continue to be delivered until the end of the year.
The announcement was made in response to the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East between the United States of America, Israel and Iran – which has sent global fuel costs soaring.
In response to the changes, Ms Britnell has slammed the government as failing to reverse the initial decision to remove the online train seat booking system.
She said the Allan Labor Government’s latest public transport announcement was “a short term fix that risks making a bad situation worse for regional passengers” as the lack of reliability had nullified any positives which could emerge from free travel.
“When train services are unreliable and you can’t even reserve a seat, people don’t switch to public transport, they get back in their cars,” Ms Britnell said.
“If you can’t guarantee a seat on a three-and-a-half-hour journey, you can’t expect people to leave their cars at home.
“Instead of taking pressure off roads, fuel and cost of living, this is shifting it straight back onto regional communities and highways.
“Free travel could work if the government had simply done its homework, ensured enough rolling stock was available, and maintained a proper booking system.
“I’m gobsmacked this announcement ignores the chaos it’s created for regional communities.”
Ms Britnell said extended free travel without a booking system showed a clear disregard for those who rely entirely on public transport as a lifeline.
She said the lack of bookings means demand cannot accurately be assessed, while there was no means to ensure capacity where it was needed.
“There’s been no acknowledgement of the loss of seat reservations on long distance trains, and that’s causing real anxiety and disruption in our community,” Ms Britnell said.
“How can anyone be expected to stand for three-and-a-half hours?
“For many, it’s simply not physically possible.
“A decision like this, without addressing seat reservations, shows a complete lack of understanding of regional travel.
“Free fares mean nothing if you can’t get a seat and can’t make the journey.”